Meadowlands: Friday 3/1 Analysis
Best Bet: PAPPY GO GO (6th)
Spot Play: B MEDISTRIKE (2nd)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 160 - 491 / $929.30 (-$52.70)
BEST BETS: 15 - 39 / $51.40 (-$26.60)
Race 1
(7) DAWSON SPRINGS put in a decent effort in his first start for new trainer Nifty Norman, and that was after missing four weeks of action. He doesn’t win much but this is a great spot. (4) MONTALBANO BI seems to be minding his manners now which makes him the one to beat. (2) JUSTCALLMERONALD drops back down to the level where he was claimed and merits consideration as the one to catch.
Race 2
(8) B MEDISTRIKE overcame the second tier, raced professionally while on the rim for two turns and won in hand. The outside post tonight isn’t ideal but this field came up very soft. (1) HAMMER CREEK has 16 in-the-money finishes in 28 career starts but just one win; using underneath only. (2) REILLY K qualified well in preparation for her 3-year-old debut; worth a look.
Race 3
(5) CLEAR IDEA is a classy young lady who faces the easiest competition she has seen in some time. There are no excuses in this spot. (6) YOU SHOULD BE HERE is simply too sharp to ignore in what is a weaker NW8500 group. (4) SHESJUSTADELIGHT N could be an interesting play if Cushing elects to fire her away from the gate.
Race 4
(4) HAMMER TIME rallied nicely with no chance last week, and with the post switch tonight, he could turn the tables on likely heavy favorite (8) BIZET, who has won two of three starts since changing ownership. (7) MIKEY LIKES IT drops into a better spot this week and is a viable price play. (1) FINAL DREAM is worth consideration in the lower exotic wagers.
Race 5
(1) MCCITO gets a better post to work with as he enters a new barn off the claim. Perhaps Rick Dane can get this veteran to finish his miles. (7) RATHER SWELL woke up on the barn change last week and now gets a new trainer at the controls. This veteran can string wins together. (3) MAGNUM MIKE needs some pace help but is certainly dangerous on the win end.
Race 6
(6) PAPPY GO GO just missed versus a better group last week and should be able to take care of business on the class drop tonight. (1) ZLATAN was a solid second when last seen at this level and this time he gets Gingras in the bike. (8) THISGUYISONFIRE is the final horse dropping down in the field. With multiple breaks on his card, I’d take a close look at him before wagering.
Race 7
(4) ROCK OF CASHEL is on quite a roll right now. Classy veteran can handle this paper jump in company to face what looks like a NW11000 field. (3A) SHADY MCCOY puts in a solid effort nearly every week and only needs a decent trip to menace. (2) LIFE WELL LIVED has an inside post and enough early speed to gain early position. The last time he raced here it was against a much, much better field.
Race 8
(5) BAY RUM gets a reduction in claiming price and should have a good pace to close into this week. (2) POP POP JOE was used hard last time from an outside post and might actually offer some value here with Gingras opting off. (6) CC BIG BOY SAM has plenty of form but can’t seem to get over the top. (1) ROCKIN THE HOUSE moves down the claiming ladder and was Gingras’ choice. Twelve-year-old will be overbet and was run down in the lane twice against lesser back in November.
Race 9
(5) CASH FOR GOLD has been done in by outside posts and tougher competition in recent weeks. This looks like the spot he has been waiting for to win. (3) MISS RUBY finished just ahead of the top pick last time and certainly deserves some consideration. (6) MIAMI raced well in his debut for trainer Ron Burke.
Race 10
(5) DUCK DUCK DRAGON was in a tough spot last time and up in class prior to that. Reaching back to January she did pick up a win at this level. In a race with no killers, she seems viable. (4) PHYLLIS JEAN drops in for a tag to compete at this level and I’d be shocked if she wasn’t live. (1) VELOCITY LANA gets some post relief and could be a player.
Race 11
(5) CELEBRITY LOVER has been a fringe player recently and perhaps the driver change to McCarthy can wake him up. (7) MUAY HANOVER seems like a lock to gun to the front and should hang around for a share. (4) BIG EXPENSE dropped to this level and got unlucky to draw post 10; worth a look now.
Race 12
(6) GODSPELL HALL showed no signs of breaking while a comfortable third with hobbles added in his recent qualifier. Against a spotty field like this, he seems worth a shot. (5) PENNANT SEELSTER has raced well in three of his last four starts. (4) CHIEF JUSTICE seems like a player if he can mind his manners.
Race 13
(3) SO LONG DARLING has some ability and now combines that with a couple of races under her belt this year. She should get Lachance a win in his return to the bike. (4) GRUBICH GIRL was game in a cheaper race at Freehold coming off a long break. She might be ready to step up. (1) PLAIN OLD JANE was stuck with an outside post when dropped to this condition last time; more now? (5) DANDY’S BEAUTY has plenty of form and should be involved during the mile.